Eleven months after dissolving the Governing Councils of federal institutions in Nigeria, the Federal Government has approved a list of 555 individuals to serve as Pro-chancellors/Chairmen and members of Governing Boards of 111 federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
A statement yesterday by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, disclosed that the inauguration and retreat of the Councils would hold on May 30 and 31, 2024.
“The inauguration and retreat for the Governing Councils will take place on Thursday, May 30 and Friday, May 31, 2024, at the National Universities Commission (NUC), 26 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja. Both events will commence at 9:00am daily,” she said.
The development comes four days after the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) threatened to embark on strike if the Federal Government failed to constitute Governing Councils of universities.
According to the list, a former Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma was appointed as the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Bayero University, Kano, Kano State; a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Wole Olanipekun was named as Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, University of Lagos (UNILAG). Also, a former governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, leads the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
In the same vein, the University of Abuja, which is currently embroiled in an indefinite strike called by its ASUU chapter, is headed by Prof. Jibrilla Dahiru Amin.
Also, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Yusuf Ali, was named as the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State; a former Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Emeritus Peter Okebukola will head the University of Port Harcourt while Dr. Abiodun Layonu will head the University of Benin Governing Council.
Similarly, chairmen of boards of polytechnics include: HRH Arc. Ezeogo Ewa Elechi (Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, Cross River State); Salisu Kallamu (Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State); Ekem Okeke (Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State); Sir Paul C. Chukwuma (Federal Polytechnic Kabo, Kano State); Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi (Federal Polytechnic, Daura, Katsina State); Otunba Tajudeen Abioye (Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State); Prof. Erik Omogbai (Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State), among others.
For colleges of education, the immediate past Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, David Andrew Adejo will head the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos State as Chairman, while renowned labour leader, Comrade Isa Aremu will chair the Governing Board of Federal College of Education (Tech), Keana, Nasarawa State. Also in the list is Sen. Binta Masi (Federal College of Education, Iditep, Akwa Ibom State); Prof. Isah Garba (Federal College of Education, Kontagora, Niger State); Sen. Emmanuel Anosike (Federal College of Education, Aha-Amufu, Enugu State), among others.
